Chasers and darters

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These dragonfly species are smaller than hawkers and, unlike them, they have a darting flight and frequently perch. Both the four-spotted chaser and the broad-bodied chaser may be seen around ponds, pools or ditches, and have broad bodies together with dark patches at the base of the wings.

The black-tailed skimmer is similar but lacks the dark patches. It is a fast, low-flying species often seen over open ground.

The common darter and ruddy darter are similar to one another. They are smaller, restless species, seen among bankside vegetation


© Tony Gunton